By Issah Olegor
A tense confrontation between security personnel and illegal miners in the Ahafo Region nearly turned deadly when two ruling National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) allegedly intervened to obstruct a national anti-galamsey operation.
The violent incident, which took place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Bronikrom near Hwidiem, has reignited public debate over political interference in the fight against illegal mining.
According to detailed briefings from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), its Director of Operations, Colonel Buah, narrowly escaped an attack by an armed mob reportedly led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.
The MP is alleged to have acted on behalf of his colleague, Collins Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South, to secure the release of arrested illegal miners who had been apprehended during an official anti-galamsey operation.
The Operation and Arrests
NAIMOS reported that Colonel Buah, accompanied by ten armed military men, was on a reconnaissance mission to select a site for a permanent field base as part of efforts to sustain the national anti-galamsey campaign.
During their patrol along the Goaso–Hwidiem road, the team identified an excavator operating dangerously close to the highway, engaging in illegal mining.
Upon approaching the site, the team arrested several individuals actively mining and ordered them to refill the pits to prevent further environmental degradation.
The Director instructed one of the suspects to summon the site owner for questioning.
Shortly after, a man claiming to be a Defence Intelligence (DI) officer in the Ahafo Region appeared, followed by another individual named Alex, who drove up in a Toyota RAV4, arrogantly claiming ownership of the site.
A third individual, arriving in a Range Rover, was also detained. The task force subsequently set ablaze makeshift structures used by the miners as shelters and offices.
Upon searching the suspects’ vehicles, security personnel discovered a Smith & Wesson pistol with 21 rounds of ammunition, GH₵11,000 cash, 12 mobile phones, and other personal items.
The suspects and seized items were being transported to the Hwidiem Police Station when the situation escalated dramatically.
The MPs’ Intervention And Mob Violence
Eyewitnesses recounted that MP Ebenezer Kwaku Addo arrived at the scene with several unidentified men and demanded the release of the arrested miners, including a Burkinabe national.
The MP reportedly claimed to be acting under instructions from Collins Dauda and insisted the suspects be released to avoid public embarrassment.
When Colonel Buah refused, citing due process and the rule of law, chaos erupted. The MP’s supporters allegedly overpowered one of the soldiers, forcibly retrieved the handcuff keys, and freed the detained suspects.
The situation spiraled into violence as the mob chased the NAIMOS officials and soldiers toward the Hwidiem Police Station, vandalizing vehicles in the process.
Upon arrival, the NAIMOS team was confronted by an estimated 600 irate residents, believed to have been mobilized by the MP.
The crowd demanded the immediate release of the suspects and threatened to assault the security personnel.
The mob vandalized Colonel Buah’s Toyota Hilux and attempted to storm the police station, prompting urgent calls for reinforcements.
Intervention and Rescue
Senior police officers, including Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah (Ahafo Regional Crime Officer), Superintendent John Atanga (Goaso Divisional Commander), and Superintendent Opoku Yamoah (Kenyase District Commander), were deployed to defuse the situation. Despite their efforts, the standoff persisted until the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, intervened, appealing for calm.
As tensions heightened and power outages plunged the area into darkness, the security chiefs agreed to release the keys to the seized vehicles to prevent further bloodshed.
The Zongo Chief personally offered his Toyota Sequoia vehicle to evacuate Colonel Buah and his team under police escort to the Newmont Mine site in Kenyase.
The convoy was attacked en route, with stones shattering the vehicle’s rear windscreen, but the team escaped without injury.
Aftermath and National Reactions
Colonel Buah, in a post-incident statement, condemned the MPs’ conduct as “a blatant obstruction of justice and an affront to national security.”
He emphasized that the anti-galamsey campaign required unity and political neutrality, urging lawmakers to lead by example rather than interfere with enforcement efforts.
“This was an unfortunate display of impunity. We cannot win the fight against illegal mining if political leaders continue to shield offenders,” he stated.
The Ahafo Regional Police Command has since launched investigations into the incident and the alleged involvement of MPs Ebenezer Kwaku Addo and Collins Dauda.
Calm Restored but Tensions Remain
Meanwhile, JoyNews correspondent Erastus Asare Donkor confirmed that calm has returned to Hwidiem after police reinforcements restored order. Several rioters have been arrested, and security presence in the area remains tight.
A viral video circulating on social media showed police officers rescuing nine soldiers from an angry mob, underscoring the volatility of the confrontation.
The footage, depicting vandalized military vehicles and clashes with residents, has reignited national debate over the escalating tension between security forces and illegal miners.
